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Port

W

wasy

Active Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
1,186
Location
Toms River, NJ
I'm looking to try some port and am willing to spend up to $30 for a bottle. Can someone recommend a readily available bottle?
 
wasy said:
I'm looking to try some port and am willing to spend up to $30 for a bottle. Can someone recommend a readily available bottle?
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Grahams 2000 LBV isn't bad in that price range, but I found this small winery two weekends ago that makes an outstanding $30 porto using the traditional porto grapes which are grown in the Sierra Foothills. Sorry, it's a very small producer.


:cool:
 
For around 30$ I like the Sandeman 2000 Vintage and Graham's Six Grapes is pretty darn good for 20$.
 
Fonseca Bin 27 is a good place to start for vintage porto, IMHO. For a tawny, Whisker's Blake is always a good place to start. I know there are a lot more out there, but these two are good beginners ports. I'm not much of a tawny drinker, but really like old, vintage year ports.
 
First off, I'm not a port expert. If you want a fruitier, jammy flavor, your better off with a Late bottled vintage or Ruby port, rather than a tawny. Tawny is less intense in flavor and color than a ruby, LBV or vintage. As for recommendations, I have the same theory as with cigars. Try the basic, then move up after deciding if you like it. In that regard, I would say anything from the major houses should give you an overall sense of what port is about. I've had $10 'port' (not made in Porto, so not really port) that was quite palatable and had enough of the basic characteristics that made it enjoyable enough to drink. Graham's, Smith-Woodhouse, Fonseca, Taylor-Fladgate are all brands that you should be able to find and in a Late bottle vintage. I'd suggest trying what is available at your liquor store- they should be well within your price range.

Edit- should have read "I'm not a port expert". :p
 
One of the things I've always tried to explain to people wanting to try a port is that the LBV and ruby are more like wine and the tawny more like a spirit. I don't know if that is what an expert would say, but it's been my impression.
 
Matt R said:
One of the things I've always tried to explain to people wanting to try a port is that the LBV and ruby are more like wine and the tawny more like a spirit. I don't know if that is what an expert would say, but it's been my impression.
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I guess I never thought of it that way since they all have the same percentage of alcohol but that's an interesting way to describe the differences to someone who's new to port. :thumbs:

Sometimes I like the LBVs and ruby and other times a tawny hits the spot. Same with cigars, there are times when I'm craving an Añejo and other times when only an SLR will do.

the nub said:
First off, I'm not a port novice. If you want a fruitier, jammy flavor, your better off with a Late bottled vintage or Ruby port, rather than a tawny. Tawny is less intense in flavor and color than a ruby, LBV or vintage. As for recommendations, I have the same theory as with cigars. Try the basic, then move up after deciding if you like it. In that regard, I would say anything from the major houses should give you an overall sense of what port is about. I've had $10 'port' (not made in Porto, so not really port) that was quite palatable and had enough of the basic characteristics that made it enjoyable enough to drink. Graham's, Smith-Woodhouse, Fonseca, Taylor-Fladgate are all brands that you should be able to find and in a Late bottle vintage. I'd suggest trying what is available at your liquor store- they should be well within your price range.
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While I'm by no means a port expert, I've tried quite a few over the years and the nub summed it up here very well. :thumbs:
 
Thanks for all the input and advise guys, it's helped a lot. I think after work tonight I'll scope out the local liquor store which is an old time mom and pop store and see what they have, I'll let you know what I end up trying.
 
I am going to second the Fonseca Bin 27 or the Grahams LBV. Both are great. I think the Bin 27 is a little cheaper.
 
for that price I would go with Taylor Fadgate 10yr old I like that brand and for the price its a great bottle
 
Keep in mind that anything that specifies an age or ridiculous vintage (at a great price) will be a tawny. You can find 20 year old tawnys for $40. Fonseca Bin 27 is not a true Late bottle vintageLBV), but is more 'vintage character'. Nonetheless it is quite tastey. BTW, LBV will not get better as it ages; the character should stay the same as the year's go by, however, supply for any particular year is limited.
 
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